Monday September 26, 2016 – MV Lukwa

Photo credit: Alison Ogilvie. Image taken with a telephoto lens and cropped.

Photo credit: Alison Ogilvie. Image taken with a telephoto lens and cropped.

Photo credit: Jennie Leaver. Image taken with a telephoto lens and cropped.

Photo credit: Alison Ogilvie. Image taken with a telephoto lens and cropped.

Photo credit: Alison Ogilvie. Image taken with a telephoto lens and cropped.

Photo credit: Alison Ogilvie. Image taken with a telephoto lens and cropped.

Photo credit: Alison Ogilvie. Image taken with a telephoto lens and cropped.

Photo credit: Alison Ogilvie. Image taken with a telephoto lens and cropped.

Photo credit: Alison Ogilvie. Image taken with a telephoto lens and cropped.

Photo credit: Alison Ogilvie. Image taken with a telephoto lens and cropped.

Photo credit: Alison Ogilvie. Image taken with a telephoto lens and cropped.

Photo credit: Jennie Leaver. Image taken with a telephoto lens and cropped.

If you ask any of our staff and crew, there is no better way to start your day than on the lively Pacific Ocean and that’s exactly what we did today. We departed Telegraph Cove at 9 a.m. and super excited about what may lay in store. We were pleasantly surprised as always at what we were able to witness.

For the fourth day in a row now we have watched while multiple Humpback Whales actively fed mixed in with hundreds of Pacific White-sided Dolphins, Steller Sea Lions and hundreds of Sea Gulls. Nothing compares to the first day but this is still remarkable to be able to see. In fifty one years on the British Columbia Coast Captain Wayne says, “he has never seen feeding activity like this”. We watched as approximately eight Humpback Whales worked in and around the dolphins. At times we were able see five of these majestic whales all surface at the same time, their blows lingering in the air. This feeding activity went on for over an hour and half. We watched as the whales and dolphins just continued to move from one location to the next, it was mind-blowing.

The Pacific White-sided Dolphins were equally incredible to watch during this event. When fishing Pacific White-sided Dolphins can display some amazing acrobatics. They could be seen leaping feet into the air both as individuals and sometimes even in groups and pairs. What a moment when two of the dolphins leapt up and then inverted towards each other and down towards the surface. Then as if things could not get more amazing, a moment that truly took our breath away; hundreds of dolphins changed course and chose to swim in the direction of the Lukwa. Individuals could be seen both in close and far proximity. Words cannot explain what the eye is able to behold in this instance but it was jaw-dropping and there seemed to be dolphins everywhere.

A calmer but equally exciting moment, the California Sea Lion we have been seeing lately has been the lone California Sea Lion – until today! Now there are two. They are hauling out with a large group of Steller Sea Lions in the area. Speaking of Steller Sea Lions there were more individuals in the water today then there were hauled out. Not unusual for a high tide as there is less rock and thus less room. We often see them in the water and rafting together but today there seemed to be more than we typically see in these rafts, which is always interesting.

Friends of Stubbs, we are sad to say but the countdown is on towards the end of the season. We are shocked at how quickly the time has come and gone. Everyday we depart the cove we are on the edge of our seats. The feeding activity we have been able to witness the last few days tells a true tale of just how rich and alive this area is. Have we told you lately how much we love it here?